Cabinet type press leg



R. Ef wlssMAN CABINET TYPE PREss LEG 4 sheet-sheet 1 Filed Aug. 18, 1954N om NN INVHVTOR. REUBEN E. WISSMHN fi TTQRNE' Ys Nov. 6, 1956 R. E.wlSsMAN CABINET TYPE PREss LEG 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Aug. i8, 1954HTTORNEYS Nov. 6, 1956 R. E'. WISSMA'N 2,769,389

' CABINET TYPE PRESS LEG Filed Aug. 18, .1.954l 4 Shees-Shee'b 5 TTONEYS R. E. WISSMAN CABINET TYPE PRESS I .EG

- Nov. 6, 1956 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Aug. .I.8,V 1954 1N V EN TOR.

REUBEN E. WISSMHN fl H T TORNEYS nited States Patent CABINET TYPE PRESSLEG Reuben E. Wissman, Minster, Ohio, assigner to The Minster MachineCompany, Minster, (Ehio, a corporation of Ohio Application August 18,1954, Serial No. 450,728

9 Claims. (Cl. 100-231) This invention relates to a press structure and,in particular, relates to a leg construction for a press structure,especially for an inclinable type press.

This application is a continuation-in-part of my U. S. Patent 2,728,288granted on December 27, 1955, in which is disclosed and claimed an earlyversion of the press leg structure with which this invention isparticularly concerned.

Having reference to the co-pending application identitied above, thereis shown therein an inclinable press structure in which a press frame ispivotally mounted in a supporting leg arrangement which comprises a legstructure at each side of the press, and which leg structures arerigidly Yinterconnected to provide a suitably strong and rigid supportfor the press frame.

The leg structure identified above is characterized, within the purviewof the present invention, by a compartment therein adapted for receivingcertain of the press operating auxiliaries, such as relays, pressureswitches, valves, and lubricating devices.

The present invention represents a further extension and refinement ofthis general type of leg structure which, for the purposes of thepresent invention, is referred to as a cabinet type press leg.

The present invention represents still further inventive development ofthe cabinet type press leg disclosed broadly in the above-referred toco-pending application and the adaptation thereof to various functionsin connection with the operation of a press serving to refine andsimplify the press operation and to reduce maintenance thereof, and tomake it simpler to erect or dismantle the press for shipment or changeof location.

Having the foregoing in mind, it is a primary object of the presentinvention to provide a leg structure for a press of the nature describedparticularly adapted for receiving and supporting certain of the pressauxiliaries.

A further object of the present invention is the provision of asupporting leg structure for an inclinable press particularly adaptedfor receiving and supporting at least a portion of the auxiliaries ofthe press in a location where they can be easily serviced.

Another particular object of the present invention is the provision of aleg structure for an inclinable press adapted for receiving at least aportion of the auxiliaries of the press so that they will remain in afixed position as the press frame tilts on the leg structure, thusremaining in their most efficient operating position.

A still further object of the present invention is the provision of apress leg structure for an inclinable press adapted for receiving andsupporting the electrical, pneumatic, and lubricating components of thepress structure so that connection thereof to the press frame, whichcontains the working parts of the press, can readily Vbe made andwhereby the said connections can also readily be disconnected in caseswhere it is desired to dismantle or move the press.

Another particular object of the present invention` isy Patented Nov..6, i956 ICC the provision of an arrangement in connection with a pressstructure that will permit the use of larger and more complete controlcomponents than are possible when the said components must be arrangedon a press frame itself.

A still further object of the present invention is an arrangement forremoving control elements, particularly delicate elements, from theframe of the press to a location elsewhere than on the press frameproper thereby to protect the elements from the shock that is oftenencountered in the press frame due to the operation thereof.

A still further object of the present invention is the provision of aleg arrangement for a press structure adapted for receiving andsupporting the principal auxiliary components of the press in aprotected, easily accessible location, and resulting in a press ofbetter appearance.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention willbecome more apparent upon reference to the following specification takenin connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure l is a perspective view of a press constructed according to thepresent invention looking from the front and somewhat to the left of thepress;

Figure 2 is a perspective view similar to Figure l except looking at thepress from the rear and somewhat to the right thereof;

Figure 3 is a side elevational view showing the left hand press leg withthe. doors to the cabinet compartment open;

Figure 4 is a side elevational View showing the right hand press legwith the doors to the cabinet compartment open;

Figure 5 is a fragmentary reary elevational view showing the legs fromthe rear of the press and the tie member looking from the legs of thepress; and

Figure 6 is a .sectional view generally indicated by line 6 6 on Figurel and showing chambers that are formed in the press legs vand which areavailed of for conveying flexible conduits and flexible pipes from thepress legs to the press frame.

Referring to the drawings somewhat more in detail, the press shown inFigures l and 2 has, as its principal components which are pertinent tothe present invention,

a press frame 10 which has its lower end disposed between a pair of legstructures, 12 at the left hand side of the press frame and 14 at theright hand side of the press frame.

The frame 10 is supported on the leg structures by the pivot bolt meansat 16 so that it can be tilted from the vertical position in which it isshown in Figures l and 2 backwardly to a desired angle.

Each of thelegs 12 and 14, according to the present invention, comprisea rear portion generally rectangular in outline and having a recesstherein forming a cabinet which is closed by hinged doors. This reargenerally rectangular portion is indicated at 20, and the doors hingedthereto and closing the recess therein are indicated 1 at 22. Theforward portion of each of the leg structures,

- between the press frame and the outer walls of the leg structures,suitable forlocating certain auxiliaries, such as air outlets andelectricalfoutlets.

Upstanding from the top of the rectangular portions 12 on each leg is alongitudinally extending rib member 23 having apertures 30 adapted forregistering with the apertures 32 in the press frame so that the pressframe may be rigidly bolted to the leg structures in each of severalpredetermined tilted positions of the press frame.

For the purpose of tilting the press frame on the leg structures it ispreferred to employ a screw 34, arranged vertically inside the righthand press leg and which, as will be seen in Figure 4, serves to drive anut 36 vertically in the slot of the press leg and with a link 38 beingpivoted between the nut and a block 40 on the back edge of one side ofthe press frame. This screw may be rotated manually or an automaticoperator, such as at 42, may be provided whereby the screw can be drivenfor tilting the press frame.

The press frame 10, in a more or less conventional manner, is formed tocarry a bolster plate 44 to receive working dies while a press platen 46is reciprocably guided in the upper portion of frame 10 for carryingcooperating dies or punches for performing work operations.

in the upper end of the press frame is a crankshaft (not shown)connected for driving the platen 46 in its reciprocable movement and adrive isl provided for driving the crankshaft, including an electricmotor 48, which may be supported on top of the press frame and which isconnected by belting 49 and gearing (not shown) with the crankshaft andthe drive train including clutch-brake means (not shown), with the brakeportion normally being engaged by spring means to hold the crankshaftstationary, and with the clutch portion being responsive to liuidpressure conducted thereto through a conduit 80 for making the brakeportion ineffective while completing the drive train and thus causingthe crankshaft to rotate to drive the platen.

A valve 82 having a solenoid operator 84 is mounted inside the pressframe and is connected on one side to conduit 80 and on its other sideto a conduit 86 leading down inside the press frame toward the legstructure.

Electrical energy for the solenoid operator 84 of valve 82 is conductedthereto by wires leading through a conduit 83 also running down insidethe press frame toward the leg structure. Conduit 88 may also extendupwardly to motor i8 for conducting electrical energy thereto.

As will be seen in Figures and 6, the electric conduit 88 extendsdownwardly to adjacent the bottom of the press frame on the right handside thereof, and at its lower end is connected by a fitting 90 with aflexible cable 92 leading into a chamber 94 in the right hand leg thatis formed in the forward portion 24 thereof. This chamber, as will beseen in Figures 3, 5 and 6, is open on the inside of the press leg andis adapted for being closed by a cover plate 96 on the outside of thepress leg. The chamber 94 forms a convenient location for mounting aterminal panel 98, to which flexible conduit 92 leads and from whichthere also leads the cables 190 that pass through the rear wall ofchamber 94 and open into the compartment that is formed in the rearportion 2) of the right hand leg.

In Figure 3 it will be noted that the cabinet compartment 192 of theright hand leg of the press, and into which the electric cables 100previously referred to lead, is arranged for receiving a plurality ofelectrical components such as the fused switches indicated generally at104, the relays generally indicated at 106, and other auxiliaries suchas transformer 108 and terminal panel 110.

Any other of the electrical components of the operating circuit of thepress which it might be convenient to locate within the cabinetcompartment 1112, up to the extent of the space therein, could belocated within the compartment with the resulting advantage that thecomponents are positioned in a protected location where they areprotected from possible damage, and also indicated from shocks that areimposed on the press frame during operation of the press.

Suitably large components can be employed since space within the cabinetcompartment is not at a premium, and an arrangement of the componentscan be made so that servicing and replacement thereof is greatlysimplified, with the result that the press is cheaper and easier tomaintain in operation.

The electric supply to the press, as will best be seen in Figures 3 and5, is by way of a supply cable 112 leading into compartment 162 throughthe back wall thereof adjacent the rear of the leg structure.

A convenience outlet may be located as at 114 in a recess in the back ofthe press leg for connection of tools, such as grinders and the like,that are to be used on the press, or for temporary connection ofelectrical energy to the press control circuit. This outlet, as opposedto those on the front of the leg, is connected to the power linesupplying the press and is thus at 22() or 440 volts.

The right hand leg, according to the present invention, may alsocomprise a portion at 116 which is a recess closed by a panel 118 with aplurality of control switches 126 mounted therein. This arrangementprovides for simple connecting of the switches into the control systemof the press and positions the switches where they are convenient to usefor such purposes as turning the power on and off, for inching thepress, for energizing the press inclining mechanism, and for similaroperations.

At the front of portion 116 of the right hand leg there is a receptacle122 adapted for receiving the plug 124 of a cable 126 that leads to thefront of the press where it is connected into a control box 123 havingtherein press operating switches 13G. The receptacle 122 has electricalconnections with the electric control circuit of the press, and thecombination of the receptacle with the flexible cable 126 and thecontrol box 128, which is detachably or movably mounted on the pressframe, affords convenience in operating the press in all positionsthereof, and likewise forms a ready means of disconnecting the controlbuttons from the leg structure should this be necessary.

In Figure l it will be noted that there is an emergency stop button 132located on the lower portion of the press frame, and leading from stopbutton 132 is a flexible cable 134 which, as will be seen in Figure 5,connects into fitting 9i) at the lower end of conduit The foregoingdescription of the arrangement of t'nc electrical conduits and cables,control switches, relays, and other components of the electrical systemof the press Will serve to reveal that the electric wiring leading fromthe leg structure to the press frame can readily be disconnected at anytime whereby the press can be dismantled as to the electric circuitsthereof very readily for shipment of the press or for movement thercoffrom one location to another.

lt will also be evident that substantially all of the electricalcomponents of the press structure can be preassembled in the factory,thus requiring a minimum amount of labor and a minimum amount of skill,with a minimum amount of time being required for setting the press upwhen it reaches its point of use. There is also a minimum chance that adifhculty4 will be encountered in effecting the proper connections whenthe press is set up.

As a further convenience that evolves from a leg arrangement accordingto the present invention, the front wall of the right hand press leg mayadvantageously' include the convenience electric outlets M) which may,for example, be llO volt outlets into which small tools, such as drills,grinders, and the like, can readily be plugged for working on dies andother Vwork members associated with the press.

A further feature in connection with the right hand leg structure,according to this invention, is the arrangement of the doors 142 of thecompartment thereof which is so arranged that the right hand door isprovided with levers 144 which operate to operi and `close switches 104,and which must be adjusted to open the switches before the doors to thecompartment can be opened by virtue of the interengageable elements 146of a locking mechanism, which will only permit opening of the doors whenthe said switches are open.

The lefthand press leg, as will be seen in Figures 1 and 4, likewisecomprises a Compartment in the rear portion thereof as at 146, andwithin which is mounted the pneumatic, hydraulic, and lubricatingcomponents of the press other than the control valve 82 previouslyreferred to. The components may also include pressure switchesinterlocked with the electric control circuit of the press so as toprevent operation thereof when predetermined conditions of air pressureand lubricant pressure do not exist.

The pneumatic supply tol compartment 146 is by way of the conduit 148leading to a manifold 150, to which is connected a pair of pressurereducing valves 151 which supply air pressure at a predeterminedpressure to a plurality of conduits 152. Certain of these conduits leadto pressure switch means 154 which are connected into the electriccontrol circuit of the press by electric wiresl leading through conduits156 extending into a box 158.

Pressure operated lubricating devices 160 are provided which receivepressure from certain ones of the conduits 152, and with whichlubricating devices certain ones of the pressure switches 154 areconnected.

Manifold 150 also has a conduit 162 connected therewith leading to apair of convenience air outlet fittings 164 on the front wall of therear portion of the left hand press leg. These fittings permit theconnection of air-operated drills, grinders, and like tools, for workingon tools or work members associated with the press.

The pressure supply lines leading to the'conduit 86 and to the diecushion (not shown) that may be associated with the press, and to thecounterbalancing cylinders (not shown) mounted on the press head andwhich serve to counterbalance the weight of the platen,

and the conduits which conduct lubricant through the lubricating devices160 to those portions of the press structure that are to beautomatically lubricated, such as the drive train (not shown) and theguides (not shown) for the press platen, are carried out through thefront wall of compartment 146 into chamber 166 formed on the frontportion of the press leg structure and corresponding to chamber 94previously referred to in connection with the right hand leg structure.

As will be seen in Figure 6, the several pneumatic and lubricant cablemeans generally indicated at 168 are attached to the press frame atsuitable locations thereon and from which points of connection eitherrigid or exible conduits can be provided for connectingthe flexibleconduits 168 with the proper parts of the press to be serviced thereby.

As will be seen in Figure 5, air pressure is supplied to compartment 146of the left hand leg by a fitting 170 and extending through the insidewall of the compartment toward the rear of the leg which positionsA thefitting in a convenient location for connecting an air supply linethereto.

It has been mentioned that the compartment 146 in the left hand pressleg includes pressure switches connected into the electric controlcircuit of the press, and the connections that lead from the pressureswitches 154 extend through a hollowbrace member 172 runningtransversely between the leg structures and fixedly bolted thereto. Theelectric connections are generally indicated at 174 in -Figure 5, andthese connections will be seen in Figure 3 where they enter compartment102 of the right hand press leg, and contained within an elbowlikefitting 176 which will be seen in Figure 4 as being connected to thebottom of the box 158.

The hollow member 172 serves as a brace between the two leg structures,thus providing an integrated leg arrangement, and likewise provides aclosed protected passage leading between the compartments in the two legstructures through which electric connections can be conveyed, as shown,and through which pneumatic, hydraulic, and lubricating conduits can beled as may 'be desired for convenience.

From the foregoing it will be appreciated that this invention provides,in connection with a press, particularly an inclinable press, closed andsubstantially dust and oil-tight compartments in the leg structure ofthe press for receiving all, or substantially all, of the controldevices for the press, such as relays, transformers, circuit breakers,motor starters, fuses, pressure reducing valves, pressure switches,lubricating devices, and other electrical, pneumatic, and lubricatingauxiliaries for the press. The controls are protected from accidentaldamage, are shielded from dust, particularly metal dust, oil andmoisture, and are likewise well isolated from the shocks that areencountered in the press frame.

All of the components referred to above remain in a single fixedposition even when the press is tilted, and thus remains in the verybest operating position. The connection of the control circuits to thepower lines, and the connection of the control components with thevarious motors and other operating elements in the press frame, canreadily be made by even relatively unskilled labor from fairly simpleinstructions, and the servicing of the control systems is likewisegreatly simplified.

It is to be noted that the leg structure of the present inventioncooperates with the open side press frame in that, in all inclinedpositions of the press frame, there is ample space above the forwardportion of the leg structure to permit lateral feeding of stock.

For lateral feeding operations, the side facing panel 118 is ofimportance in that it provides an operating position that isconveniently located from which all press operations can be controlled,including inclining movements of the press frame.

It will be understood that this invention is susceptible to modificationin order to adapt it to different usages and conditions and,accordingly, it is desired to comprehend such modifications within thisinvention as may fall within the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A base arrangement for an inclinable press having a press frame andoperating systems with components thereof on said press frame andcomprising spaced leg members having means pivotally supporting thepress frame therebetween, each leg member being formed ,to define acompartment of substantial size opening outwardly thereof to housecontrol units of said systems mounted therein, door means hinged to saidleg members for closing said compartments, flexible connecting meansbetween said compartments, control units and components on said pressframe, a tubular brace member extending transversely between said legmembers and rigidly connected therewith, and the inner walls of saidcompartments being provided with apertures registering with the ends ofsaid tubular brace member with said ffexible connections passingtherethrough and housed in said tubular brace.

2. A base for an inclinable press having a press frame and electricaland pneumatic operating systems With component parts thereof being onthe press frame and comprising spaced leg members, means on said legmembers pivotally supporting the frame of the press therebetween fortilting movement, each leg structure being formed to define acompartment of substantial size opening outwardly thereof for enclosingand supporting control units for said systems, door means hinged to theleg members for closing said compartments, a hollow brace memberextending transversely between said leg members and rigidlyinterconnected therewith, the inner walls of said compartments beingprovided with apertures registering with the ends of said brace memberto provide l communication between said compartments, each leg memberalso being formed to dene a chamber therein forwardly of the compartmentin the leg opening inwardly toward the press frame, and exible meansconnecting means extending from the press frame through said chambersand into said compartments for connecting the control in thecompartments with the components of the electrical and pneumaticsystems.

3. In an inclinable press having a press frame and operating systemswith the operating elements thereof on said press frame and comprising apair of upright spaced leg members, means pivotally supporting the pressframe between said leg members for tilting movement of said frame, atleast one of said leg members being formed with outwardly openingcompartments accessible from the outer sides of said leg members, saidcompartments enclosing and supporting control components of saidoperating systems whereby said control components remain in fixedposition during tilting movements of the press frame and are protectedfrom darnage from forces external of said press.

4. In an inclinable press having a press frame and operating systemswith the operating elements thereof being on the press frame andcomprising a pair of stationary, spaced, hollow, completely enclosedbox-like supporting members, means on said supporting members pivotallymounting the frame of the press therebetween for inclinable movement,control components for the operating systems of said press enclosed,supported and mounted in the same stationary position in said hollowbox-like supporting members, and flexible means for connecting thecontrol components with said operating elements for continual pressoperation irrespective of the degree of inclination of the press framewhile said boxlike supporting members and the control components remainstationary.

5. A base arrangement for an inclinable press having a press frame andan electrical operating system having at least one operating elementthereof on said press frame and comprising a pair of upright spaced legmembers having means pivotally supporting said press trame therebetweenfor tilting movements, one of said leg members being formed with anoutwardly opening compartment therein for enclosing and supportingcontrol cornponents for said electrical operating system whereby saidcontrol components remain in fixed position during tilting movements ofthe press frame and are likewise isolated from shocks developed in thepress frame during operation of the press, flexible means connecting asource of electric power with the control components in saidcompartment, and flexible means between said one leg member and saidpress frame to connect said control components with the electricaloperating element on said press frame.

6. A base arrangement for an inclinable press including a press frameand having electrical and pneumatic operating systems with operatingelements thereof being on the press frame and comprising a pair ofupright leg members having means pivotally supporting said press frametherebetween for tilting movements of the press frame on the base, saidleg members being formed with outwardly opening compartments therein ofsubstantial size for enclosing and supporting control components forsaid electrical and pneumatic operating systems, means conductingservice lines into said compartments for connection with said electricaland pneumatic control components, and flexible means extending from saidpress frame into said compartments connecting the said con- 8 trolcomponents with said operating elements on said press frame.

7. In an inclinable press having a press frame and operating systemswith the operating elements thereof on said press frame and comprising apair of upright spaced leg members, each of said leg members comprisinga larger rectangular portion toward the rear thereof and a smallerrectangular portion toward the front, rigidly connected therewith toform a unitary structure,

means in the smaller rectangular portions of said leg members forpivotally supporting said press frame for tilting movements between saidleg members, said larger rectangular portion being formed to define arecess opening toward the outside of said leg member, said recessesenclosing and supporting control components for the operating systems onsaid press frame whereby said control components remain in xed positionduring tilting movements of the press frame and are protected fromdamage by forces external of said press.

8. In an inclinable press having a press frame and operating systemswith the operating elements thereof on said press frame and comprising apair of upright spaced leg members, means on said leg members pivotallysupporting the press frame between said leg members for tiltingmovements of said press frame therebetween, each leg member being formedto denne a compartment of substantial size opening outwardly thereof forenclosing and supporting control components of said operating systemswhereby said control components remain in a xed position during tiltingmovement of the press frame and are protected from damage by forcesexternal of the press, and each leg member also being formed to define achamber therein forwardly of said compartment in the leg openinginwardly toward the press frame for receiving connections to saidcontrol components,

9. In an inclinable press having electrical, hydraulic and pneumaticoperating systems, an inclinable press frame with the operating elementsof said operating systems mounted thereon, a pair of spaced uprighthollow legs formed to define outwardly opening enclosures, meanspivotally supporting said press frame between said spaced legs, means insaid legs to retain the press frame in any desired angle of inclinationbetween said legs, and control components for said press mounted andenclosed in the enclosures in said hollow legs and connected to thepress frame to control the operating elements whereby the controlcomponents are mounted in a fixed stationary position required forprotection and eicient operation while the press frame can be inclinedto the angular position of maximum efficiency of operation withoutaffecting the efficiency of the control components.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS D.121,009 Farley June 11, 1940 769,955 Osswald Sept. 13, 1904 2,324,986Allen uly 20, 1943 2,362,054 Denison Nov. 7, 1944 2,511,450 Abbey June13, 1950 2,574,745 Langley Nov. 13, 1951 2,614,539 Ernst Oct. 21, 19522,670,676 Green Mar. 2, 1954 2,695,934 Wills Nov. 30, 1954 FOREIGNPATENTS 136,776 Australia Mar. 21, 1950 454,563 Italy Jan. 24, 1950

